Health Information

Topic Contents

Manganese

Uses

Manganese is an essential trace mineral needed for healthy skin, bone,
and cartilage formation, as well as glucose tolerance. It also helps activate
superoxide dismutase (SOD)-an important antioxidant enzyme.

Our proprietary "Star-Rating" system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Supplementing with manganese may prevent onset or help reverse the condition.

One doctor has found that administering the trace mineral manganese (15 mg per day) can prevent the development of TD and that higher amounts (up to 60 mg per day) can reverse TD that has already developed.1 Other researchers have reported similar improvements with manganese.2, 3

1 Star

Goiter

800 IU daily

Deficiencies of manganese can contribute to iodine-deficiency goiter. Supplementing with manganese may help.

When iodine deficiency is present, other nutrient levels become important in the development of goiter. Deficiencies of zinc4 and manganese5 can both contribute to iodine-deficiency goiter; however, an animal study found that manganese excess can also be goitrogenic.6 It has been suggested that selenium deficiency may contribute to goiter.7 However, when selenium supplements were given to people deficient in both iodine and selenium, thyroid dysfunction was aggravated, and it has been suggested that selenium deficiency may provide some protection when there is iodine deficiency.8, 9 A study of the effects of selenium supplementation at 100 mcg daily in women without selenium deficiency but with slightly low iodine intake found no effect on thyroid function.10 The authors concluded that selenium supplementation seems to be safe in people with only iodine deficiency but not in people with combined selenium and iodine deficiencies. In those cases, iodine supplementation has been shown to be most useful.11 No studies have been done to evaluate the usefulness of supplementation with zinc or manganese to prevent or treat goiter.

1 Star

Hypoglycemia

Refer to label instructions

Manganese helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, it might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well.

Research has shown that supplementing with chromium (200 mcg per day)12 or magnesium (340 mg per day)13 can prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful for hypoglycemic people.14 Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar levels in diabetics.15 Since there are similarities in the way the body regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that purpose are not known.

1 Star

Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Vitamin B6, Zinc)

Refer to label instructions

Some doctors have reported good results using a combination of zinc, manganese, and vitamin B6 for people with Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Another group of doctors has reported good results using a combination of zinc, manganese, and vitamin B6 for people with Osgood-Schlatter disease; however, the amounts of these supplements were not mentioned in the report.16 Most physicians would consider reasonable daily amounts of these nutrients for adolescents to be 15 mg of zinc, 5 to 10 mg of manganese, and 25 mg of vitamin B6. Larger amounts might be used with medical supervision.

1 Star

Osteoporosis

Refer to label instructions

A combination of minerals including manganese was reported to halt bone loss in one study. Some doctors recommend manganese to people concerned with bone mass maintenance.

Interest in the effect of manganese and bone health began when famed basketball player Bill Walton's repeated fractures were halted with manganese supplementation.17 A subsequent, unpublished study reported manganese deficiency in a small group of osteoporotic women.18 Since then, a combination of minerals including manganese was reported to halt bone loss.19 However, no human trial has investigated the effect of manganese supplementation alone on bone mass. Nonetheless, some doctors recommend 10 to 20 mg of manganese per day to people concerned with maintenance of bone mass.

Trace minerals, such as manganese, are known to be important in the biochemistry of tissue healing.

Zinc is a component of many enzymes, including some that are needed to repair wounds. Even a mild deficiency of zinc can interfere with optimal recovery from everyday tissue damage as well as from more serious trauma.21 Trace minerals, such as manganese, copper, and silicon are also known to be important in the biochemistry of tissue healing.22, 23, 24, 25 However, there have been no controlled studies of people with sprains or strains to explore the effect of deficiency of these minerals, or of oral supplementation, on the rate of healing.

1 Star

Type 1 Diabetes

Refer to label instructions

People with diabetes may have low manganese levels, which can contribute to glucose intolerance. Supplementing with the mineral may help.

People with diabetes may have low blood levels of manganese.26 Animal research suggests that manganese deficiency can contribute to glucose intolerance and may be reversed by supplementation.27 A young adult with insulin-dependent diabetes who received oral manganese (3 to 5 mg per day as manganese chloride) reportedly experienced a significant fall in blood glucose, sometimes to dangerously low levels. In three other people with type 1 diabetes, manganese supplementation had no effect on blood glucose levels.28 People with type 1 diabetes wishing to supplement with manganese should do so only with a doctor's close supervision.

1 Star

Type 2 Diabetes

Refer to label instructions

People with diabetes may have low manganese levels, which can contribute to glucose intolerance. Supplementing with the mineral may help.

People with diabetes may have low blood levels of manganese.29 Animal research suggests that manganese deficiency can contribute to glucose intolerance and may be reversed by supplementation.30 A young adult with insulin-dependent diabetes who received oral manganese chloride (3 to 5 mg per day as manganese chloride) reportedly experienced a significant fall in blood glucose, sometimes to dangerously low levels. In four other cases, manganese supplementation had no effect on blood glucose levels.31 People with diabetes wishing to supplement with manganese should do so only with a doctor's supervision.

How It Works

How to Use It

Whether most people would benefit from manganese supplementation remains unclear. While there is no recommended dietary allowance, the National Research Council's "estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake" is 2-5 mg.32 The Institute of Medicine recommends that intake of manganese from food, water and dietary supplements should not exceed the tolerable daily upper limit of 11 mg per day. In contrast, the 5-15 mg often found in high-potency multivitamin-mineral supplements is generally considered to be a reasonable level by many doctors, though many manufacturers are likely to reformulate their products to contain no more than 11 mg per daily amount.

Where to Find It

Possible Deficiencies

Many people consume less than the 2-5 mg of manganese currently considered safe and adequate. Nonetheless, clear deficiencies are rare. People with osteoporosis sometimes have low blood levels of manganese, suggestive of deficiency.33

Interactions

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

Several minerals, such as calcium and iron, and possibly zinc, reduce the absorption of manganese.34 Of these interactions, the link to iron may be the most important. In one study, women with high iron status had relatively poor absorption of manganese.35 In another report of manganese/iron interactions in women, increased intake of "non-heme iron"-the kind of iron found in most supplements-decreased manganese status.36 These interactions suggest that taking multi-minerals that include manganese may protect against manganese deficiencies that might otherwise be triggered by taking isolated mineral supplements, particularly iron.

Interactions with Medicines

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels.37, 38, 39 Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.40, 41, 42 Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption.43 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels.45, 46, 47 Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.48, 49, 50 Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption.51 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use OCs may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels.52, 53, 54 OC use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.55, 56, 57 OCs may interfere with manganese absorption.58 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

Reduce Side Effects

Support Medicine

Reduces Effectiveness

Minerals such as aluminum, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc can bind to ciprofloxacin, greatly reducing the absorption of the drug.59, 60, 61, 62 Because of the mineral content, people are advised to take ciprofloxacin two hours after consuming dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and others), antacids (Maalox®, Mylanta®, Tums®, Rolaids®, and others), and mineral-containing supplements.63

Potential Negative Interaction

Explanation Required

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels.64, 65, 66 Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.67, 68, 69 Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption.70 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels.71, 72, 73 Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.74 Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption.75 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use OCs may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels.76, 77, 78 OC use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.79, 80, 81 OCs may interfere with manganese absorption.82 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.83, 84, 85 Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption.86 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels.87, 88, 89 Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A.90, 91, 92 Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption.93 The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers' package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Side Effects

Amounts found in supplements (5-20 mg) have not been linked with any toxicity. Excessive intake of manganese rarely lead to psychiatric symptoms. However, most reports of manganese toxicity in otherwise healthy people have been in those people who chronically inhaled manganese dust at their jobs e.g., miners or alloy plant workers. Other sources of manganese intoxication are now recognized, including total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in patients who are being fed intravenously94, 95, 96 and pesticides containing manganese in agricultural workers who have been exposed.97

Preliminary research suggests that people with cirrhosis98 or cholestasis (blocked bile flow from the gall bladder)99 may not be able to properly excrete manganese. Until more is known, these people should not supplement manganese. Manganese supplementation (3-5 mg per day) has caused severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in a person with insulin-dependent diabetes.100 People with diabetes who want to take manganese should consult their doctor.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2016.

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